sewn and to sew

These and many other goodies have been sewn…and lots more are cut out ready for stitching.  Lots of market preparation going on too – super-excited to be part of the Mummy Made It Market in Ulverstone on Friday 21 March!

I think I missed a month…

How is it already March?!  February just flew past in a busy blur of school books, swimming carnivals, new shoes, lost jumpers, tennis lessons, meeting teachers, hot sticky days, ice cream, piano lessons, lunchboxes…and so much more excitement!

Good news: I finally have photos of the dresses I’ve made.  Bad news: they’re not modelled by me (or maybe that’s good news!?  Either way, this means I get to introduce you to Minnie, my super mannequin!  I love Minnie.  She means I don’t have to run through the whole house and up the stairs to try on the clothes I’m making, then down the stairs and back through the house with pins flying everywhere to make adjustments).  Anyway…dresses!

I seem to have had a blue and yellow thing happening, because both frocks are blue and yellow.  The first dress has wide straps which cross at the back, and invisible zipper (first one ever!) and a Peter Pan collar.  The bodice is lined.  Quite happy with this one, but the neckline sits a little low for my liking.

Secondly, spots!  Lots of firsts with this one…piping, sheer fabrics, collars…but I’m basically happy with how it turned out.  I followed the Partly Sunny dress tutorial at Grosgrain, which was helpful but with my limited skills I did find parts of it tricky.  But it was a challenge I’m glad I undertook!  I’ve worn both dresses out of the house several times now, so overall – success!

It feels somehow very triumphant having these two frocks complete.  A satisfying, project-finished, kind of way.  I generally get things to sell finished quickly, but I feel so indulgent sewing for myself that things often get left for very long periods of time.  I also finished two skirts recently – one that I bought 15 years ago (in the form of a horrible, scarily synthetic shirt dress.  But it was in gorgeous bright colours and, most importantly, it had pockets!  It is now a cute skirt, still with pockets!), and this wrap-around skirt that I started mid-last year with a friend and never got finished…

It’s blue linen-type fabric, with a vintage floral waist-band.  Really full at the hemline– gorgeous to wear with a full petticoat!

Next I’ll be back with some other bits and pieces that I’ve been sewing…everything from teeny embroideries to car wallets and memory sets.  Hope you’ve had a splendid start to March!

almost time for school…

One more ‘school holiday’ post before I get back into the sewing!  Much as I’m dreading the beginning of school (I love having my boys at home!), I can’t wait to show you the two dresses I’ve made.  I’ve learnt so much making them - zips, making and using piping, working with sheer fabrics, lining – given me lots of confidence for further projects!  Anyway…that will be another post! 

Over the long weekend we visited the bush maze in Glengarry – so beautiful out there.  All you can hear are birds and the trees…no ‘city’ noises.

We had so much fun doing the maze.  The boys led the way and loved every minute of it!

After the maze, we explored lots of different puzzle and games.  Some of them were really challenging – much harder than they looked.

It was a lovely special day to finish off the school holidays.  Hard to imagine getting back into routine…lunchboxes…trying to find a pair of socks (“Why to they have to match, Mama?  It’s so boring having to wear two socks the same.”)  But we are so blessed to have a beautiful school community with lovely teachers and great kids – nothing to complain about there!

6

Our littlest boy is six!  I kept saying to him all day “Are you sure you’re six?  I think you’re tricking us, and you’re really only three.”  He thought this was hilarious, and tried to convince us he really WAS six!  Those six years have gone by so quickly…

It’s always hard trying to decide what to give Jasper for a birthday present, as his birthday is so close to Christmas.  So this year we decided on something different, and put together a ‘mystery’ holiday for him.  We chose a few days in Hobart, and picked out some fun activities to surprise him with.  I printed out some photos and brochures, and made some cards to glue them in, and wrapped each one up separately.  Just before we got to each activity or place, he unwrapped one to find out what was happening next.  He had such a great time, and we all enjoyed the little holiday!  On his actual ‘birthday’ day I gave him an album full of photos of his holiday.
Off in the car!

First stop was Richmond, where we stayed in a gorgeous little cottage…with a spa!  Jasper was thrilled.  We checked out the beautiful bridge, and had a wander around the Old Hobart Town model village.

Then indoor rock climbing – this was one of his highlights.  We stayed there for three or four hours!

The next day was spent at the aquatic centre, visiting the museum, eating ice cream, and playing at playgrounds…(I can’t believe, looking at these photos, how many layers of clothing we’re wearing!  I’m typing this in 38 degree heat now – hot for Tasmania - and we were freezing in Hobart only last week!)

On our final day we went to see a performance of Robin Hood in the Botanic Gardens – it was absolutely fantastic.  The boys loved it, and were talking about it all the way home (I think it’s on for another week or so – if you’re local, check it out!) – just so funny!

Wow…now you really are six!

0…1…(somewhere in here he lost the mohawk he was born with!)…2…

3…4…5…

Happy birthday, sweet cheeky Jasper!  “We always thank God for you…and pray for you constantly.” (Thessalonians 1:2)